IGP Draw Selection Strategy

IGP Draw Selection Strategy

Your IGP draw selection strategy can set the tone for your whole trial. It guides when your dog works, how arousal is managed, and how you control risk in each phase. At Smart Dog Training, we use the Smart Method to build a clear, repeatable plan for any running order, so you feel calm and decisive when the draw begins. If you want expert eyes on your plan, a certified Smart Master Dog Trainer can coach you through this process so you know exactly what to do on the day.

Many handlers leave the draw to chance. Smart handlers prepare options for every outcome. With a solid IGP draw selection strategy, you can reduce surprises, protect your dog’s strengths, and keep your head when pressure rises. This article lays out the system we use at Smart Dog Training to help teams earn reliable performance when it matters.

What the Draw Means in IGP

The draw determines your position and timing across tracking, obedience, and protection. It also affects which field you see, how settled your dog is, and whether you hit heat, wind, rain, fresh helpers, or busy rings. You cannot control everything, yet your IGP draw selection strategy lets you shape the odds. Where event rules allow, you may choose between flights or accept a position within a range. Where you cannot choose, you still plan for each likely scenario in advance.

Smart Dog Training treats the draw as part of the test. It is a skill you can learn and rehearse. With the Smart Method, you prepare your dog and your mind for early starts, long waits, cold mornings, hot afternoons, wet grass, and noisy crowds. You also learn how to reset quickly if the order changes. This is how you protect your points and keep your dog ready to work.

Key Variables to Weigh

Every event has a different flow. Your IGP draw selection strategy should weigh the following variables before the draw begins.

Field and Weather

• Surface and cover. Short grass may suit a dog that tracks fast. Longer cover changes scent and pace. Wet ground often boosts scent, while dry wind can thin it.
• Sun, heat, and wind. Heat drives arousal and fatigue. Wind shifts scent cones and affects handler lines. Early or late start times can change all three.
• Noise and crowd. Busy rings can raise arousal. Quieter slots can help a sensitive dog settle.

Judges and Helpers

• Judge style. Some judges favour clear line handling and calm dogs. Others look closely at power and speed. Your IGP draw selection strategy should suit how your dog will be seen.
• Helper work. Early helpers may be fresher and quicker. Later helpers may settle into a rhythm. Consider which suits your dog’s grips and targeting.

Your Dog Profile

• Arousal curve. Does your dog start hot or start cold. Hot dogs often benefit from earlier work to avoid long build up. Cooler dogs may need more time to wake up.
• Endurance and recovery. Can your dog wait for hours without losing edge. Can they rest after one phase and peak again for the next.
• Sensitivity. Some dogs notice decoys, crowds, or weather shifts more. Match your IGP draw selection strategy to their needs.

The Smart Method in Action

Smart Dog Training builds every IGP draw selection strategy on the Smart Method. These five pillars help you make sound choices before and during the draw.

Clarity

Decisions are set in simple rules. For example, if heat is above a set level, prefer early tracking when allowed. If ring one has heavy distraction, prefer later obedience. You write these rules in plain terms so you can act fast without doubt.

Pressure and Release

Pressure is part of sport. We teach you how to apply fair guidance to your dog and to yourself. You use drills that raise pressure on purpose, then release it with correct recovery. This builds accountability and poise so your IGP draw selection strategy holds under stress.

Motivation

Your dog should want to work at any time slot. You plan warm up games, food or toy rewards, and quiet time so arousal hits the right window. Motivation is not hype. It is a clean path into behavior that wins points.

Progression

We layer difficulty step by step. First you practice a draw at the club. Then you practice with unknown fields and unknown helpers. Then you practice a late start and an early start. This progression means your IGP draw selection strategy has been tested before the trial.

Trust

Trust grows when you and your dog know the plan. You bring the same markers, routines, and recovery steps to every event. Your dog learns that you are consistent. This trust produces calm, willing work.

Phase Tactics for A B C

Your IGP draw selection strategy needs specific rules for each phase. Use these guidelines to shape your plan.

Tracking Strategy

• Early vs late. Early tracks can give cooler ground and steadier scent. Late tracks may have wind and heat that expose weak line handling. Choose according to your dog’s pace and nose commitment.
• Cover choice. If there are different fields, prefer the surface that matches your training history. If not, set your warm up to mirror what you see in the first few dogs.
• Routine. Keep a fixed pre track routine. Quiet lead up, simple focus, then clear start ritual. This is part of your IGP draw selection strategy no matter the slot.

Obedience Strategy

• Ring flow. Watch heeling lines, about turns, and retrieve paths. Note where dogs get dragged by scent or crowd. Place your warm up to feed clarity and confidence into those zones.
• Energy control. Hot dogs often need earlier obedience before the noise builds. Cool dogs may do better mid flight after a few teams set the tone.
• Transitions. Plan a short recovery after retrieves to reshape focus. Use the same markers and resets every time.

Protection Strategy

• Helper read. If the helper is explosive, a hotter dog may benefit from later slots once patterns are stable. If the helper is very measured, a strong dog can press early.
• Grip and outs. Your IGP draw selection strategy should state how you prep the mouth and the first out in the warm up. Keep it short and precise.
• Drive control. Set a clear drift down routine after transport lines and call outs. This protects outs and secondary obedience.

Build Your Decision Tree

A decision tree turns feelings into simple choices. It makes your IGP draw selection strategy repeatable. Write it on a single page so you can use it in seconds.

• If temperature is high, prefer early tracking when allowed. If not allowed, shorten the pre track warm up and increase water breaks.
• If wind is strong, delay heeling proofing in warm up and focus on clear position games. Add a brief focus task at ring entry.
• If helper is fast, plan a firmer first grip rehearsal in the warm up. If the helper is heavy, plan a short drive building game before entry.
• If the ring is loud, reduce toy play near the gate and use calm reward to prevent over arousal.
• If your dog shows tension, insert a one minute crate reset and a simple engagement pattern before your call.

These rules help you choose or accept the right slot, then shape your prep for that slot. This is the core of a smart IGP draw selection strategy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Chasing lucky numbers. Numbers do not win. Preparation wins. Focus on the plan, not superstition.
• Changing routines. Keep your warm up and markers the same. Do not add new tricks on trial day.
• Over warming. Too much tug or heeling can drain power. Short and sharp beats long and sloppy.
• Ignoring recovery. Build in rest. Crate time and quiet time help dogs hold focus across long days.
• Forgetting ring study. Watch early teams for wind lines, noisy areas, and helper tempo. Update your plan.

Mindset On Trial Day

Your mind is part of your IGP draw selection strategy. Calm handlers make better choices. Use these steps.

• Breathing. Five slow breaths before you walk to the board. Five more before each phase.
• One card rule. Look only at the next phase, not the whole day. Win one card at a time.
• Language. Use clear self talk. I know my routine. My dog understands. We execute the plan.
• Reset. If the order changes, take one minute to rewrite your micro plan. Then act.

Practice And Simulation

We do not hope for a good draw. We train for any draw. Smart Dog Training runs draw simulations in coaching blocks, so your IGP draw selection strategy gets tested and improved.

• Club draw. Put numbers in a hat. Draw your slot. Execute your plan. Review.
• Unknown field. Train on new ground with new track layers and helpers. Treat it like a trial.
• Early and late. Do the same session at sunrise and at dusk. Learn how your dog shifts.
• Noise drill. Add crowd noise and ring traffic during heeling and retrieves. Practice reset routines.

Each run adds data. You learn exactly how to adjust your warm up and arousal curves to match any running order.

Smart Coaching And Support

Competing alone is hard. With Smart Dog Training, you tap into structured coaching that covers both training and competition planning. An SMDT coach will build an IGP draw selection strategy tailored to your dog, your goals, and your local climate. We combine at home drills, field sessions, and live trial support so you feel prepared and confident.

Ready to turn your dog’s behaviour around? Book a Free Assessment and connect with a certified Smart Master Dog Trainer, available across the UK.

Case Style Examples From The Field

Here are three common profiles and how Smart Dog Training would shape an IGP draw selection strategy for each.

• Hot, powerful dog. Prefer earlier obedience before the crowd peaks. Keep a short tug warm up with clear downs to lower arousal. In protection, use a brief grip prep and insert calm transport resets. For tracking, use a clean start ritual and avoid long waits near the field.
• Cool, thoughtful dog. Prefer mid flight obedience after a few teams have set rhythm. Build energy with short food play. For protection, add a drive building game two minutes before entry. In tracking, allow a little more pre start engagement if wind is light.
• Sensitive dog. Prefer quieter rings and calmer times. Use more crate time away from noise. Keep warm ups very short and clean. Choose later slots only if the ring settles across the flight.

Data And Post Trial Review

Your plan gets sharper when you measure results. After every trial, review these points and refine your IGP draw selection strategy.

• Which slot did you draw. What were temp, wind, and field notes.
• Warm up duration and content. What worked and what felt heavy.
• Arousal rating at entry and exit for each phase.
• Judge comments. How do they map to your plan.
• Adjustments to the decision tree for next time.

How Smart Dog Training Delivers Results

Smart Dog Training is built on structure, progression, and accountability. We coach families and competitors with the same Smart Method, adapted to sport goals. Your IGP draw selection strategy is not a guess. It is a practiced set of choices that fit your dog. With Smart trainers across the UK, you can train in your area and get ongoing mentorship from an SMDT who lives this work every week.

If you want help mapping your plan and sharpening your ring craft, you can Find a Trainer Near You and start your sport pathway with Smart.

FAQs

What is an IGP draw selection strategy

It is a simple plan that guides how you choose or accept running order and how you adjust warm ups for each phase. It reduces risk and helps control arousal so your dog performs at their best.

Can I really choose my running order

Event rules vary. Sometimes you can select between flights or accept a position within a range. Often you cannot choose. A good IGP draw selection strategy prepares you for all likely outcomes.

How does weather change the plan

Heat and wind change scent, energy, and focus. Your plan should set rules for early or late starts and for warm up length so you protect tracking points and ring accuracy.

How do I avoid over arousal before protection

Keep warm ups short and clear. Use fixed markers, brief grip prep, and a calm reset before ring entry. This belongs in your IGP draw selection strategy for every event.

What if the order changes at the last minute

Use a micro plan. Take one minute to update your warm up and recovery steps, then act. The Smart Method trains you to reset without stress.

Do I need a coach for this

You can build a basic plan, but a Smart Master Dog Trainer will spot gaps and tailor the plan to your dog. Coaching saves time and lifts scores.

How early should I start practicing my plan

Begin at least eight weeks before a trial. Run weekly draw simulations and log your results. This gives your IGP draw selection strategy real proof before the big day.

Next Steps

Your dog deserves training that truly works. With certified Smart Master Dog Trainers and a proven system, you can walk into any event with a plan. Your IGP draw selection strategy will feel simple, calm, and ready for real life pressure.

Your dog deserves training that truly works. With certified Smart Master Dog Trainers (SMDTs) nationwide, you'll get proven results backed by the UK's most trusted dog training network. Find a Trainer Near You